the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.

– Maya Angelou

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

– Marianne Williamson

A new friend sent me this recently, and I hadn’t read it in a while so it was perfect timing. It’s amazing how people come into our lives and say exactly what we need to hear when we need to hear it. And it never ceases to amaze me just how many amazing people there are on this planet. (I am too tired to really try to articulate this amazing-ness now, but people are… amazing.)

This weekend Amanda and I went away. We had a beautiful time together away from the noise of the city and I was struck by a few things.

— Driving there, the view of the mountains was spectacular, and it was completely different and even more amazing on the way back. I thought maybe I had gotten lost the view was so different, and I thought “that’s what happens when you don’t turn around and look backwards once in a while.” Hah. I’ve lost the poetic-ness of it, but there was some great truth in there somewhere.

— How alive everything is right now. The trees are heavy and full, the grass blisters in the sun, and every animal just is… the cows gathered around one single tree while some bathed in the water, the birds flew and sang and gathered food, the dog next door barked at the fish in the water, and we split our time between going on adventures and resting.

— The joy of sitting with loved ones around a camp fire. With Norway on my heart, staring into the fire, I just wanted everyone I ever loved and everyone I might ever love gathered around the fire with me forever. Then I think of Ender’s Game—human beings didn’t evolve brains in order to lie around on lakes—but what’s that balance?

— This quote: Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us. (Rilke)

Do your lips up sticky, sparkly & sweet. Then blow kisses. Say thank you. Allow other people to inspire you. Share your bliss. Smile — even if you’re shy, even if you have bad teeth, even if it scares you. Hold someone’s hand. Be honest. Volunteer your time. Love yourself. Do your best. Learn how to balance having respect for other people’s decisions & being true to yourself. Tell people how much you like them. Send unexpected gifts. Talk to strangers. Do favours. Let go. Be generous. Eat whatever you want without guilt. Don’t think about other people’s definitions of success, beauty or happiness. Make your own rules. Write your own guidebook. Count your blessings. Never stop trying to improve. Be your own superhero. Aim higher. Contribute. Create spaces for other people to enjoy. Sleep in. Let other people sleep in, too. Be compassionate. Listen. Give yourself time off. Be enthusiastic. Choose happiness. Create. Follow your passion. Connect. Compliment people. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself. Surprise yourself. Appreciate the people who support you. Take photos; document everything. Have a plan. Know your patterns. Be in the present. Laugh. Get close. Move through your fear. Challenge yourself. Keep it simple. Turn up the music. Realise your own freedom. Relax. Flirt. Dress up in some small way every day. Even if it’s just a good pair of knickers or a coat of death-defying mascara. Be different. Be genuine. Allow yourself to change & evolve. Dream big. Believe that you can manifest anything. Take responsibility. Treat everyone the same way — from your lover to your mother to your postman. Appreciate your past for having made you the person you are. Talk about how you feel. Dance. Sing. Let go of guilt. Treat your lovers with respect. Admit your flaws. …& come up with a plan to remedy them. Surprise people. Set yourself a really huge goal. Then achieve it & set another one. Kiss. A lot. Remember that trouble doesn’t last. Be still. Look at the stars. Be as ridiculous as you like. Trust that you are loved. Stay curious. Charm people. Give real hugs. Bat your eyelashes. Forget yourself. Reach out. Flatter people. Get drunk on life. Release your expectations of other people. Allow them to be who they are, & appreciate them regardless. Stretch. Listen to your instincts. Make eye contact. Keep your word. Talk about real things. Discover yourself. Speak up. Let life excite you & lead you astray. Delight in every day. Don’t be afraid. Just love.